This is a fun inspiring project. For sculpture use plaster impregnated bandages and watch creative ideas flow.
Because it is quick and easy the process can act as an entry point to creativity. It might take a short while to capture the imagination but it will then spark.
For these projects save all recyclable materials you can.
- corks
- juice bottles,
- lids
- cans
- just about any clean recyclables will do.
- even crumpled balls of paper can be put to good use.
- Use raw clay to join bits and pieces together.
- Dip short strips of plaster impregnated bandage in water (not too wet)
- Wrap the bandage around until you have turned the composition to one hard form. There is no need for students to know what they are making before hand; just let them express the enjoyment of simple abstract free form.
- When the students finish ask them to draw the form on a sheet of paper. Their minds will roam to ideas that the form brings to mind.
- Let them start drawing until something comes to life on the page. The process is like looking into clouds to see what shapes come to the imagination.
- Tell them to add eyes and noses, arms, legs, antennas and the like.
- Encourage them to colour to their hearts content.
- After a while drawing the sculptures will be hard enough for them to begin the painting process.
- After a coloured under coat a second coat will make the colours thick and convincing.
- They can glue on Boggle Eyes or sequins and coloured cloth as well as glitter. Corrugated cardboard and felt are also welcome materials for some kinds of sculpture.
- Teach the students about the relationship between drawing and sculpture.
- Make sure you allow them to explore their creations to their natural completion.
- Perhaps they will write a story about their creature or poetry might spring to mind. See if they are ingenious enough to incorporate these creations onto the form.
- Always remember that students have their own preferred modes of expression and should be encouraged to experiment with a variety of ways of expressing the same insight. It is better if they try many ways of working and that they don’t fall into the trap of just staying within the same familiar style or technique.
- Have an Appreciative Inquiry at the end of the session to reinforce learning and so that they feel valued and esteemed.
If you have fun with this project please let me know!
The copyright of the article Plaster Bandage Sculptures in Arts Education is owned by Jo Murphy. Permission to republish Plaster Bandage Sculptures must be granted by the author in writing.
